Backcare & Scoliosis Certification

WINTER 2020

Yoga for Backcare & Scoliosis Certification Program

Download & complete the application.

Alison West, assisted by Kaitlyn Hipple, and the Yoga Union Backcare & Scoliosis Center

offer the most comprehensive Yoga for Backcare and Scoliosis Certification Program in the US.

Millions of people suffer from back pain every year.

Learn how to help them and be part of the expanding therapeutic future of Yoga.

Yoga Union has honed its training program to ensure that you leave with the tools

to help others with back issues effectively and knowledgeably.

This is an outstanding opportunity to develop as both a student of Yoga and as a teacher

under the careful guidance of one of the leaders in this field.

Four Weekend Intensives + Audition Class + Requirements

Basic Backcare (required for Scoliosis): February 6-9

Scoliosis I: February 20-24

Scoliosis II: March 6-8

Review Weekend: May 1-3

Registration Deadline: February 1

Alison West, director of Yoga Union and the Yoga Union Backcare & Scoliosis Center, has created a program that offers you the foundation for teaching Yoga for Backcare & Scoliosis safely. It is critical to not underestimate the value of taking classes before, during and after the weekend intensives. These weekend intensives present a great deal of information that takes time to digest. Attending required classes before the first intensive lets you become familiar with the tools we use and the fundamentals of safe movement, both of which are essential if you plan to help others with back issues. The classes required after each weekend intensive give you the opportunity to put into practice and embody what you are learning. Assisting allows you to observe the work taking place, to give hands on adjustments when you are ready, and to see a large array of students and the differences that manifest even with the same condition. Nowhere else will you find the number and variety of dedicated backcare classes that Yoga Union offers and that allows you as many assisting opportunities, an essential ingredient in your preparation to teach this material. We look forward to helping you become the best Backcare & Scoliosis teacher you can be.

If you are from out of town, please organize your travel plans to be in NY for a minimum of five weeks if possible, to allow for pre-training and post-training classes and assisting. You will need to return for the Review Weekend in June, at which time you might also plan to stay longer to take and assist more classes. Read more below.

TRAINING DETAILS

First Weekend Intensive: Yoga for Basic Backcare

Discover how to work with generalized low back pain, hyper-kyphosis (rounded back), hyper-lordosis (swayback), disc bulges and herniations, spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage), spinal stenosis and more, through alignment work, pranayama, restorative poses and meditation with healing mudras.

It is possible to do this part as a stand-alone training.

Second and Third Weekend Intensives: Yoga for Spinal Asymmetry and Scoliosis

Learn the principles of working with spinal asymmetry, scoliosis, and spinal fusions.

Each weekend begins with an anatomy lecture and exploration.

Application and Study Period

During the three months between the first three weekend intensives and the Review Weekend, you will study, practice, and practice teaching with a partner, take required classes, and begin your required assisting. (Details below.)

Fourth Weekend Intensive: Integration and Review

Consolidate and apply your understanding of the material taught in the first three weekends. Have your questions addressed, take mid-term written and practical exams, and learn tools for further application of the material through more observation, partnered teaching, and adjustments.

These four weekends allow you to practice and observe as well as review the material through Q&A sessions and written homework so that you are able to consolidate what you are learning. In addition to these 85 contact hours, Yoga Union’s unique 160-hour training program includes taking and assisting classes, a written exam, case studies and teaching sample classes (video).

Note: Required classes are not included in the cost of the Backcare Training.

If you are from out-of town, you can take all of your required classes and begin to assist at Alison’s discretion in between the first three weekends (February 10 - March 5)

If you live in NY, you can follow the regular schedule.

When you have completed the first three training weekends and your minimum required classes, you will start assisting at Alison’s discretion. In other words, it may be determined that you need to take more than the required minimum number of classes before you are ready to assist. It may also be determined that you need to assist more than the required minimum number of classes. Everyone learns at a different pace, and this helps you to get the most out of each phase. All graduates fulfilling certification requirements tell us that they regard the assisting as one of the most crucial elements of their training, giving them the confidence and experience to begin teaching on their own.

Total contact hours

With assisting and classes, your total contact hours will add up to a minimum of 120 hours (121.5-135). (Most Backcare classes are 1.5 hours long. However, if you take and assist hour-long classes, you will be required to take and assist a few more to make up the hours.)

Your homework, case studies and teaching video will add ca. 36-41 non-contact hours, totaling 152 hours +.

Daily Schedule

You will have assigned written homework during this period.

Weekend 1 - General Backcare (February 6-9) *First weekend starts on Thursday!

Thursday 2-5, Friday 1-8, Saturday 8:30-5:30, and Sunday 8:30-5

Weekend 2 - Scoliosis I (February 20-23)

Thursday 2-5:30, Friday 1-8, Saturday 8:30-6, and Sunday 8:30-5:30

Weekend 3 - Scoliosis II (March 6-8)

Friday 1-8, Saturday 8:30-6, Sunday 8:30-6

Weekend 4 - Integration, and Review (May 1-3)

Friday 1-8p, Saturday and Sunday 9a-5p

REQUIREMENTS

Pre-TT requirements

Prerequisites apply to both Basic Backcare Certification and Full Backcare and Scoliosis Certification.

• A 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate from a program that includes a full 180 contact hours. Note: if your TT lasted one week or ten days, you will not have had 180 contact hours.

Audition class

Please note: this training is not a drop-in training. An audition class is required as well as your application.

Schedule an audition class with Alison West or another designated teacher. It needs to be a regular Alignment Yoga class, not a backcare or scoliosis class. We are looking for you to demonstrate a good understanding of safe alignment, prop use, and appropriate modifications for any issues or injuries you have.

If you are unable to take class at Yoga Union due to living too far away, please submit a 15 minute video (or several shorter videos), showing you going into, staying briefly in and coming out of these poses:

• Trikonasana (front and side view)

• Virabhadrasana II (front and side view)

• Virabhadrasana I (front and side view)

• Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle) (front and side view)

• Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) (side view)

Strongly suggested: A minimum of 10 Yoga Union Alignment classes prior to the TT. It is wise to not wait until the program starts to become familiar with how to work with the tools of therapeutic Yoga and to align your own body, which are essential for understanding how to help your students balance and move their bodies in healthy ways. Vinyasa classes do not qualify as alignment classes. If you have no experience of alignment-based Yoga and are not in NY, please find an alignment-based/Iyengar program where you live. This is an alignment-based certificate.

• Required Pre-Training Classes: take a minimum of five YU Herniation Basics Classes prior to the training.

Note: Required classes are not included in the cost of the Backcare Training.

Requirements for Full Certification (Basic Backcare and Scoliosis)

Note: These are sequential and must be completed in order.

• Pre-requisites listed above

• Attend all four Weekend Intensives at the studio on the schedule above

• Required classes during the training between weekends:

- 2 Herniation Basics classes following the first weekend and before the scoliosis weekends begin (February 10 - February 19).

- 3 Scoliosis basics classes after the first Scoliosis weekend and before the second Scoliosis weekend (February 24-March 5).

• Required classes after all weekend intensives are completed:

- 4 Herniation Basics Classes

- 5 Scoliosis Classes: 2 basic and 3 Intermediate with Alison West

Note: Required classes are not included in the cost of the Backcare Training.

Complete these 14 classes no later than May 1.

Assist a minimum of:

- 7 Herniation Basics Classes

- 8 Scoliosis Classes (three basic level, five intermediate level with Alison)

You can only begin assisting with permission once you have finished taking the above classes. We may also determine you need to assist more than 15 classes.

Complete your minimum assisting no later than October 19.

- Complete a written exam by October 31.

- Complete two case studies (one herniation, one scoliosis) over three months by February 15, 2021. You will want to start looking for suitable candidates during your assisting.

- Submit two half-hour practicum teaching videos (one basic herniation, one basic scoliosis). Due by February 28, 2021 at the latest.

All requirements must be completed by February 28, 2021.

Note: We withhold the right to certify you if you do not meet the requirements or your teaching is not up to the Yoga Union standard. Should you not fulfill the requirements, you will receive a certificate of attendance, but only if you attend all sessions.

For those coming from out of town:

You might want to schedule a private session with Alison West before the start of the Certification Program if you yourself have a back issue and would like to know more about it before the training starts. $190/hour.

If you are in NYC, and you have a back issue, it is imperative that you not wait until the training starts to learn about your own back. In this case, you will need more than the required number of pre-requisite classes to learn this, so start taking class now. Taking a private with Alison West is also a great way to start.

Cost for Full Certification Program

This price includes four Weekend Intensives, minimum required assisting, grading your exam, and reviews of your case studies and teaching videos.

Note: 5 pre-intensive and 14 post-intensive required classes (19 classes) are not included in price.

Total paid in full: $2650, Earlybird $1950 by 1/15

Total with payment plan: $2750, with auto debit per month; you can start paying toward your plan now. Design a plan that allows you to finish paying in full by August 15, 2020.

Cost for Stand-alone Backcare Training: $825

Note: There is a 30% discount for students who did the Backcare & Scoliosis Certification with Alison West in 2019.

and would like to repeat the full program. There is a 15% discount for the workshops alone.

Required classes pricing options

The 19 minimum required classes are not included in the fee, as these may be taken over time, if you are in NY.

You can purchase single classes or 5-, 10-, 20-class cards to cover all these classes.

Cancellation and refunds

No refunds 7 days prior to start date.

A 5% administrative cancellation fee will apply (normally 10% for workshop cancellations).

Download & complete the application.

Yoga for Basic Backcare Certification

If you wish to become certified in Yoga for Basic Backcare only without the scoliosis

component, this is possible, space permitting.

TRAINING DETAILS

First Weekend Intensive: Yoga for Basic Backcare

Application and Study Period

During the four months between the Basic Backcare Weekend and the Review Day, you will study, take class, self-practice, practice teaching with a partner, take required classes, and begin your required assisting. (Details below.)

Integration and Review Day

Consolidate and apply your understanding of the material taught in the Basic Backcare Weekend. Have your questions addressed, take mid-term written and practical exams, and learn tools for further application of the material through more observation, partnered teaching, and adjustments.

In addition to the Weekend Intensive plus Review Day totaling 30 hours, Yoga Union’s unique 65-hour training program includes taking and assisting classes, a written exam, case studies and teaching a sample class (video). This Basic Backcare Weekend and Review Day will allow you to practice and observe as well as review the material through Q&A sessions and written homework, so that you are able to consolidate what you are learning.

Note: Required classes are not included in the cost of the Backcare Training.

When you have completed the first training weekend and minimum required classes, you will start assisting at Alison’s discretion. In other words, it may be determined that you need to take more than the required minimum number of classes before you are ready to assist. It may also be determined that you need to assist more than the required minimum number of classes. Everyone learns at a different pace, and this helps you to get the most out of each phase. All graduates fulfilling certification requirements tell us that they regard the assisting as one of the most crucial elements of their training, giving them the confidence and experience to begin teaching on their own.

Total contact hours

With assisting and classes, your total contact hours will add up to 49 hours. (Most Backcare classes are 1.5 hours long. However, if you take and assist hour-long classes, you will be required to take and assist a few more to make up the hours.)

Your homework, case studies and teaching video will add ca. 14 non-contact hours, totaling 63 hours +.

Daily Schedule

You will have assigned written homework during this period.

Weekend Intensive - General Backcare (February 6-9)

Thursday 2-5, Friday 1-8, Saturday 8:30-5:30, and Sunday 8:30-5

Integration and Review Day (Friday May 1, 1-8)

REQUIREMENTS

Pre-TT requirements

Prerequisites apply to both Basic Backcare Certification and Full Backcare and Scoliosis Certification.

• A 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate from a program that includes a full 180 contact hours. Note: if your TT lasted one week or ten days, you will not have had 180 contact hours.

Audition class

Please note: this training is not a drop in training. An audition class is required as well as your application.

If you are unable to take class at Yoga Union due to living too far away, please submit a 15 minute video (or several shorter videos), showing you entering, staying briefly in and coming out of these poses:

• Trikonasana (front and side view)

• Virabhadrasana II (front and side view)

• Virabhadrasana I (front and side view)

• Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle) (front and side view)

• Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) (side view)

• Strongly suggested: A minimum of 10 Yoga Union Alignment classes prior to the TT. It is wise to not wait until the program starts to become familiar with how to work with the tools of therapeutic Yoga and to align your own body, which are essential for understanding how to help your students balance and move their bodies in healthy ways. Vinyasa classes do not qualify as alignment classes. If you have no experience of alignment-based Yoga and are not in NY, please find an alignment-based/Iyengar program where you live. This is an alignment-based certificate.

• Required Pre-Training Classes: take a minimum of five YU Herniation Basics Classes prior to the training.

Note: Required classes are not included in the cost of the Backcare Training.

Requirements for Basic Backcare Certification

Note: These are sequential and must be completed in order.

• Prerequisites listed above

• Attend all in-studio sessions on the schedule above (one weekend and one review day)

• Required classes after the basic backcare weekend in February:

- 6 Herniation Basics Classes

Note: Required classes are not included in the cost of the Backcare Training.

Complete these 6 classes no later than March 31.

Assist a minimum of:

- 7 Herniation Basics Classes

You can only begin assisting with permission once you have finished taking the above classes. We may also determine you need to assist more than 7 classes.

Complete your minimum assisting no later than June 7.

- Complete a written exam by June 21.

- Complete one lumbar herniation case study over three months by October 15. You will want to start looking for suitable candidates during your assisting.

- Submit one half-hour practicum teaching video of a herniation basics mini-class. Due by November 15 at the latest.

All requirements must be completed by November 15, 2020.

For those coming from out of town:

Cost for Basic Backcare Certification Program

This price includes the Weekends Intensive and Review Day, assisting, grading exam, review of one case study and teaching video.

Note: 5 pre-intensive and 6 post-intensive required classes (11 classes) are not included in the price.

Total paid in full: $825

Total with payment plan: $925, with auto debit per month; you can start paying toward your plan now. Design a plan that allows you to finish paying in full by August 15, 2020.

Note: There is a 10% discount for students who did the Backcare Certification Weekend with Alison West in 2019.

Required classes pricing options

The 11 minimum required classes are not included in the fee, as these may be taken over time, if you are in NY.

You can purchase single classes or 5-, 10, or 20--class cards to cover all these classes.

Cancellation and refunds

No refunds 7 days prior to start date.

A 5% administrative cancellation fee will apply (normally 10% for workshop cancellations).

Download & complete the application.

Email info@yogaunion.com or call the studio (212) 510-7404 with questions.

Testimonials

What a transformative weekend!
I am grateful to you both for so generously sharing your knowledge, wisdom, and years of experience with me and the rest of the certificants this weekend. Having the study materials/PDFs available online and in advance of each day's lesson really helped me to learn and embody the material as we progressed, and I know they will become valuable reference materials in my library in the years and decades ahead. Having actual backcare students in the workshops was brilliant and so useful in learning the techniques. The methodology really resonated with me and my learning style; I can't thank you enough for your thoughtfulness around this. And your genuine care for and patience with the cerificants, students and the practice as a whole.
I look forward to the next steps in the certification process!
May all of your kindness and generosity come back to you a million-fold.
Cheri Fandozzi 2019 Backcare Weekend

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